The Department of Public Works and Infrastructure host 11th annual Winter School Camp programme at Birchwood hotel and conference at Boksburg on Tuesday.
The winter school programme started from July 1 to 7, and it aimed at transforming the built environment sector by assisting learners with Mathematics and Physical Science.
The department Winter Schools Camp programmes’ started in 2013.
The purpose of the Schools Camp is to promote careers within the built environment sector and create a solid foundation for a high pass rate in Mathematics and Physical Science to provide a platform for learners to know about different career paths which are available in the built industry.
139 learners across the country from grades 10, 11 and 12 were selected to take part in the programme.
“The camp aimed at attracting and encouraging learners to pursue scarce skills courses (careers) in the built industry.
This programme will help accelerate the active participation of learners from disadvantaged communities to gain valuable insights about the construction industry,” said Deputy Director General Professional Services Carmen-Joy Abrahams addressing media.
Abrahams said the department of public works and infrastructure has identified schools which specialise in maths and science subjects.
This has benefitted many learners who were previously unaware of the available opportunities in the construction industry.
“We have adopted 22 schools that are participating in the progamme and that we have ensured that our footprint is reflective of the 52 cities and districts in the country. We will continue to provide support to young people when they are at different tertiary institutions.
The camps also aim to assist learners in achieving a high pass rate in Mathematics and Physical Sciences.
“The camp will have interactive exhibitions and expose the learners to career opportunities in the built environment sector while addressing the challenge of scarcity in educational resources that lead to poor performance in schools,” said Abrahams.
Abrahams said the department outlined factors that will enable learners to participate as: each school needs to have an average of 40% of their grade 10 – 12 scholars doing Mathematics and Physical Science, and for Grade 9 – 12, learners to achieve a minimum of 60% for Mathematics and Physical Science.
“The department has adopted 22 schools that are participating in the programme aimed at influencing learners to take careers in the construction industry.
I am confident learners from disadvantaged communities will also gain valuable insights about the built environment,” she said.
Zolani Sigadi, maths teacher at Soqhayisa Secondary school in Qheberha Eastern Cape said the public works has been a game changer for our learners that are interested in the engineering and the built in environment.
Our school was adopted by public works in 2022 and started with 7 learners which were in grade 10 and those learners were interested in the built in environment career.
“We were privilege to be one of the schools that were adopted by public works in the district.
We are very happy to be part of this public works and it is an opportunity and privilege that our learners are appreciate our program,” said teacher Sigadi.
“I’m very happy to be part of this program and it is a great opportunity and I will embrace it and I want to do electrical engineering,” said Zizo figlan, Manyano high school, Western Cape
“I’m very happy for this opportunity and the support we are getting in the public works and I’m very passion about engineering and the information I’m getting here really helped me a lot and I want to encourage other learners to take this opportunity and grab it with both hands,” said happy Isisipho Mhlakaza from Cofimvaba high school at Eastern Cape.